1
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to
a movie that aggrandizes the bad guys and makes the cops look like dopes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number
a generous grant, enabling the library to significantly aggrandize its collection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aggrandize
Part of him wants to aggrandize the country to reflect his own inflated self-conception.
—
Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the war, state-run media have aggrandized Russian wins on the battlefield, while downplaying or ignoring news to the contrary.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
This was a quintessential Kornet moment, surreptitiously aggrandizing while capturing the spirit of his accomplishment.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In the Caribbean, San Juan’s rebirth following hurricanes and the pandemic is marked by an inaugural culinary festival, thanks to the very innovators who have aggrandized the tiny island’s bold flavors around the globe.
—Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggrandize
Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the war, state-run media have aggrandized Russian wins on the battlefield, while downplaying or ignoring news to the contrary.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
This was a quintessential Kornet moment, surreptitiously aggrandizing while capturing the spirit of his accomplishment.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In the Caribbean, San Juan’s rebirth following hurricanes and the pandemic is marked by an inaugural culinary festival, thanks to the very innovators who have aggrandized the tiny island’s bold flavors around the globe.
—Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggrandize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggrandize
Verb
-
Or, for your next airport outfit, opt for a drapey button-down, buttery-soft joggers, and a roomy crossbody bag that keeps your essentials close while elevating your entire look.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Space agency officials’ blood pressure was further elevated as experts closely watched the performance of the craft’s heat shield, which astronauts rely on to slow them down and keep temperatures livable.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The list of measures in the statement touches on ties that China had suspended in recent years as tensions increased.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Crews also removed a wooden timber debris screen in front of one of the dam's gates to help increase water flow through it.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
PowerSchool had become so influential that in 2023, its CEO was invited to speak at the White House during an event promoting cybersecurity in education.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Better yet, the platform promotes long-term partnerships, which enable clients to receive ongoing work based on a successful track record.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The law will expand background checks for adults living with guardians and create a new Child Welfare Ombudsman, which is an independent advocate inside the attorney general's office to handle complaints and review child welfare practices.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Cooper, who has long served as the host of Call Her Daddy since 2018 alongside her ex-cohost Sofia Franklyn, expanded her podcasting empire into the Unwell Network in August 2023.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The scrutiny of fame has always been dehumanizing, though the ubiquity of the modern-day comment section has surely accelerated and exaggerated its cruelty.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Members of the first group will be fine even as college closures accelerate.—
Jeffrey Selingo,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Some may also use it to augment care on the overnight shift, when staffing may be slimmer.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Luna is in your sign, boosting your intuition with lunar grace.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Which means teaching an LLM all a company’s secrets could simultaneously boost the business—and risk blowing it up.—
Erik German,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggrandize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggrandize. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
